Location: Round Lake Community Hall
Date: Sunday, July 29th, 2012 (10:00am – 12:00 noon)
Feature Speaker: Peter Lillico, Estate Planning Lawyer, author & Cottage Life writer

Hosted by: The Round Lake Cottagers’ Association, in partnership with the
Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA)

This is a free event. Donations to support FOCA are welcome.
Please plan to preregister as space is limited. Contact us:
info@foca.on.ca 705‐749‐3622

By CottageCountry.com

Spring is fast approaching. Can you smell the cedar? Yes, it’s almost time to open the cottage for the season. We hope you find this list useful ― whether you’re new at opening or a seasoned pro.
 
Stake out the scene. Find a long weekend ― usually May 24 ― to go to the cottage and see what winter has wrought and the kind of work that will be involved in opening your cottage. Check the power lines (all the way from the transformer on the utility pole servicing your home) for any downed or damaged wires. Look for fallen trees, cracked windows, peeling paint or caulking, roof sags, loose stairs, planks or rotten wood on the deck or docks, corroding connectors, corroding or twisting planks or supports or protruding nails. Take note of whom you’ll need to call for repairs.
 
Water. Turn the water on. Check the intake system. Are the pipes in good shape? Are any parts loose or corroded? Do filters need replacing? Are there any water leaks or cracks in the ceiling? Let the water run for a bit to release any chemicals you may have used to preserve the lines over the winter.
 
Hot water. After turning on the water, it’s time to turn on the hot water tank. Test the hot water by turning on a hot water faucet anywhere in the cottage. Check the flow, and, again, make sure there are no leaks. While you’re at it, check to see if the furnace filter needs to be replaced.
Visitors. Any signs of mice, bugs, spiders, bird nests, et cetera, in the house? Have they gotten into any stored food? Give the closets, cupboards, chimneys and drawers a good cleaning, and do a thorough food and wire inspection.
 
Propane. Are there any damages to the tank, the main or secondary supply lines? Are all connections securely fastened?
 
Phones and fuses. Time to turn the phones and power back on. Test the power by turning the breakers on one at a time. Be sure to check heaters, light switches, appliances, wires and outlets for any damage first, and, of course, make sure the water heater’s filled to avoid burning the element.
 
Alarms. Replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. If the carbon monoxide detector is older than five years, replace the whole thing. The smoke detector should be replaced if older than 10 years.
 
Fire extinguishers. Are they charged? If disposable, are they past their expiration dates?
 
Clean. Call a cleaning service, or do it yourself. Clean leaves and branches from the eavestroughs and beneath the decks; paint, stain or wash the decks; clean the fire pit, windows, furniture, cupboards, drawers, appliances and bathrooms.
 
Set up shop. Time to move in! Unpack gear like dishes, linens, books, paddles and enjoy the season!

Pike Tournament June 16

Happy Canada Day Fireworks – Saturday June 30

Come one, come all to our annual fireworks display on Belmont Lake!!You can view from shore or from your boat, but come out and enjoy the show! Anyone on the North/West side facing Big Island will be able to watch from shore if you choose, but feel free to anchor out front for a good show!

Did you know that you require a permit from the town of Havelock to light fireworks? – sounds like a hassle – well we are taking care of it by having one big show! If you want to donate money towards the show or donate your fireworks and we’ll add them to the show, feel free! Contact Tamara at belmontsocial@blca.ca or 

Monkey Golf – July 21

A big Welcome back the annual Belmont Lake Monkey Golf Tournament – Stay tuned for details.

Feel free to register as a team of four, or as an individual and we will get a team together for you- send and email  belmontsocial@blca.ca include the names of participants, your cottage address, and a contact phone number. Monies will be collected at the course day of. Included in your day is 9 holes of golf, a BBQ dinner at the club house and a chance to win door prizes! Best of luck to all!

Sailboat Races Saturday August 4th

Regatta – August 5th 2012

Join us for our annual Belmont Lake Regatta.  Stay tuned for details.

Also Stay Tuned for other exciting workshops to be announced

Kayak  Workshop

Creative Writing Workshop